Backstage
Meet your Band Director
Director: Vince Fejeran
Vince Fejeran has been the Director of the Skagit Community Band since 1994. He is very active in the music scene throughout the Skagit Valley, WA area, playing trombone with a number of local bands, and is President of the Manieri Jazz Endowment of the Anacortes Public Library, which funds projects to promote the understanding and appreciation of jazz music. He holds a degree in Music Education from the University of Puget Sound. Vince is the principal trombone player for the Skagit Symphony, and is an adjunct instructor at Skagit Valley College, where he teaches Instrumental Jazz, Jazz History, and Music Theory classes. He is also the Big Band director for Northwest Big Band Jazz Camp. Additionally, Vince has been an adjudicator for the San Juan Music Educators Association (SJMEA) high school large group band festival for several years.
Your Board of Directors
President
Susanne “Susie” Kuykendall
Susanne first joined the Skagit Community Band in the 1980s. Susie on French horn and husband John Blau on trumpet considered Tuesday night rehearsals their date night; appropriate as they had met in the BE high school band room in 1964. Over the years, the band provided lifelong friends and musical growth. It also provided solace during times of challenge in her personal life; the band and the music had a way of replenishing and providing what was needed. Early years found Susie, singing with her family on long car trips, harmonizing with sisters and packing the French horn as a constant companion through school years and into college. Modeling a musical life for four sons, and now 18 grandkids over the years has been particularly satisfying. After her retirement from health insurance in 2015, Susie put her love for people and organization to work for the band board. She became the president three years ago. Communication is key to her management style and has made for a rewarding experience. Susie and her husband Phil live on Samish Island where they enjoy boating, crabbing and watching the tide come and go.
Vice President
Sherri Brown
Sherri was raised on Whidbey Island and has spent most of her life there. She lives in Oak Harbor with her husband Rob. She played trumpet in her younger years and took up French horn a few years ago. SCB is her first community band. She joined in 2019 and loves it. She just retired so she is available more and wants to give back to the band. “All the people in the band are so nice and great to work with!”
Secretary
Kenton Kuusela
Kenton is a music educator and longstanding member of the Skagit Community Band. He plays regularly with jazz groups in the area.
Tresurer
Kate Erb
Kate Erb has been our SCB Treasurer since December 2023. She previously served in the Navy for 29+ years, and retired in 2015. She is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and Naval Postgraduate School. More recently, she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from Penn State University (2023). Although Kate does not play any instruments, she does have many years of experience carrying gear and being a roadie for her jazz-musician husband. A strong supporter of music and the arts, she is also the Operations & Administration Manager for the Northwest Big Band Jazz Camp, a nonprofit organization that holds a one-week jazz workshop for adults each year.
At Large
Linda Wischmeyer
Linda was born and raised in Michigan and has lived in Wisconsin, Missouri, Nevada and currently resides in Anacortes. Linda has played clarinet in community bands for several years prior to joining SCB. She is pleased to have the opportunity to give back by assisting on the board.
At Large
Kjirsten Grove
Kjirsten grew up in Oak Harbor and lived in the California Bay Area where she played flute and piano in various community groups and musical theater. She currently resides in Oak Harbor. She plays flute with SCB, piano with the Little Jazz Friends (a traditional jazz group run by her husband, fellow SCB member Jeremy Carrillo) and Barefoot Jazz, and is learning jazz guitar. When she’s not playing music she works as a software developer for Netflix. She’s looking forward to serving as your newest board member.
Social Media / Digital PR
Jasmine Clemenson
Jasmine grew up in the Skagit Valley, where her musical journey began. She played flute at LaVenture Middle School and later expanded her repertoire to saxophone and tuba while attending Anacortes High School. After graduating, she moved away to pursue a career in aerospace but returned to her roots in 2012 to study music, joining the Skagit Community Band as a student.
While at Skagit Valley College, Jasmine gained valuable experience managing the local radio station and developing skills in media and advertising. Today, she wears many hats as a radio host at KSVR, a homeschooling mom, and a digital media consultant for local community and swing bands, helping them enhance their online presence.
